Water Mains burst
A major burst water main near Holland Park roundabout early on Wednesday morning has caused widespread disruption across west London, including in my constituency of Hammersmith and Chiswick. I raised this in a debate on the water companies in Parliament yesterday.
Large areas experienced no water or low water pressure, affecting postcodes including W4, W6, W8, W11, W12, W13 and W14. Thames Water has told me that around 4,000 homes were affected, and a number of schools were forced to close. Local businesses were also disrupted, and traffic was severely affected while emergency repairs were carried out.
I have been in direct contact with Thames Water from the early stages of the incident, pressing for clear information on the scale of the disruption, support for affected residents and schools, and the timescale for restoring supplies. I have also been in touch with Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow Councils to ensure residents received timely updates and support.
Thames Water has confirmed that engineers worked overnight to isolate the burst and that supplies were gradually restored as the network was rebalanced. Incident response teams were deployed, bottled water delivered to vulnerable residents, and compensation made available under the Customer Guarantee Scheme for qualifying loss of supply.
Restoring supply is only the first step. Thames Water must now provide full transparency about what went wrong and demonstrate that west London’s ageing water infrastructure is being properly maintained to avoid further disruption for residents. The 30 inch pipe which burst dates from 1851.
The incident is particularly concerning given that another water main burst in Oxford Road South, occurred just two weekends earlier. This led to a partial collapse of the road, causing significant disruption with local parking suspensions and driveways blocked. There have been similar incidents across London this winter, a clear result of Thames Water being unable to adequately maintain their infrastructure.
Thames Water has now been forced to dig up the road to try and get to the root of the problem, and we will continue to push them to resolve this swiftly and thoroughly. I am grateful to Cllr Amy Croft for her swift action in raising this with Hounslow Council, and I am pleased that the Council has now agreed to resurface the road once the damaged water mains have been fully repaired.
These kinds of incidents should not be happening with such frequency, and it reflects a long-standing failure by Thames Water to properly maintain and upgrade their ageing pipe network.
In response to widespread failures across the water sector, from burst mains to sewage discharges and supply outages, the Labour Government has this week unveiled a major overhaul of water regulation. Under plans set out in a new White Paper, the existing fragmented system will be replaced by a single, powerful regulator to oversee all aspects of water companies’ performance, infrastructure and customer service. This new body will have stronger powers to conduct proactive “MOT-style” checks on pipes and other assets, step in quickly where there are problems, and hold companies to account in ways that the old regime failed to do. The reforms are aimed at ensuring reliable service for customers and preventing the kind of poor maintenance and disruption we’ve seen locally.
Railway News
Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury
Regular readers will know I’ve been pushing for improvements to the accessibility at our local stations for some time, both in Parliament and in discussion with Transport for London and Network Rail. It’s welcome, therefore, that we’re now seeing positive movement on some of the key issues that affect so many people.
I’m pleased to report that the Government’s latest accessibility funding programme includes money to take detailed designs forward for step-free access at both Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury stations. For years, local campaigners, Hounslow Council, Ruth Cadbury MP and I have been pressing for these upgrades so that people with mobility issues, parents with prams, older residents and others who struggle with steps can use these stations safely and comfortably.
This funding ensures these projects do not hit the buffers and gives us a fighting chance to secure the further investment needed to install lifts and accessible access.
Gunnersbury remains quite a complicated scheme because, on top of step-free access, the station needs additional capacity, including a second staircase, so it doesn’t close during busy times due to overcrowding. This is not just an accessibility issue, it’s about the everyday reliability of our transport network.
Olympia and Turnham Green
TfL has confirmed that feasibility work is ongoing into whether step-free access can be delivered at Turnham Green. The station is on a list of sites being assessed for potential upgrades, following sustained local campaigning. However, there is no firm timetable or funding commitment yet for installing lifts or ramps, which means accessibility improvements remain uncertain.
News is less positive for Olympia station, which is owned and operated by Network Rail, so is ineligible for money from TfL. The Department for Transport has said it will consider the nomination of Kensington Olympia when nominations are next invited for funding. In the meantime, local Councillors and I are working with the Olympia developer to try to improve access.
Barons Court works
A reminder to residents who use Barons Court that major phased works will take place at the station from Monday 19 January until the end of 2026.
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The eastbound island platform (District and Piccadilly lines) will be closed from 19 January until early June 2026
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Both platforms will be open during the HSBC Queen’s Tennis Tournament from 6 June
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The westbound island platform (District and Piccadilly lines) will then close from mid-July until the end of 2026
Barons Court is a Grade II listed station, built in 1904, and several structural features are nearing the end of their lifespan. The works are essential to maintain passenger safety and will include restoring the platform canopies, strengthening cast-iron columns, replacing timber cladding and glazing, and upgrading the drainage system.
TfL says the safest and quickest way to complete this work is by closing the platforms sequentially, allowing full access to replace the roof systems. All work will be carried out with the station’s heritage in mind.
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys using the TfL website or the TfL Go app. I appreciate this will be disruptive for many regular users and will continue to press TfL to keep disruption to a minimum and provide clear information throughout.
Freedom Pass
I know some constituents have been in touch recently, worried about a possible threat to the over-65 Freedom Pass. I want to reassure everyone that a proposal to review the scheme will not be taken forward, after it was blocked by London Labour Councils, with the support of the Mayor.
The Freedom Pass is hugely valued by older Londoners, helping people stay active, independent and connected. I know just how important it is to so many residents in Hammersmith and Chiswick, and I am very pleased that it is here to stay.
Meadowcroft Fire
On Friday 9 January, a serious fire broke out at Meadowcroft sheltered housing in Chiswick. The London Fire Brigade was called at 4.25pm, with ten engines and around 70 firefighters attending. Four people were taken to hospital, and around 30 residents were evacuated to a local rest centre.
Tragically, Hounslow Council has confirmed that one of the residents died in the incident and my condolences go to her family and friends, and to Meadowcroft residents and staff who have had to deal with the immediate shock and the longer aftermath.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and Hounslow Council is making repairs to damaged flats and working with residents to begin to move them back into their homes.
Opening of the Palestinian Embassy
I attended the opening of the Palestinian Embassy in Hammersmith, at a ceremony led by Ambassador Husam Zomlot. I am proud that the Embassy will be in Hammersmith, where it previously served as the Palestinian Mission for many years.
For too long, Palestinians have lacked equal standing in international fora. Recognition by the UK government acknowledges that reality and seeks to move beyond rhetoric towards meaningful engagement.
This is something I raised recently in Parliament, welcoming the recognition of Palestine but challenging the government on the action that needs to be taken against illegal Israeli settlements.
Justice
The Court Service is facing unprecedented backlogs. In a recent guest blog for the Chiswick Calendar, I set out how excessive delays undermine public confidence: cases can take years to reach trial, witnesses forget, victims relive trauma, and defendants wait in limbo. These backlogs are not inevitable, they are the consequence of chronic under-investment over more than a decade.
Controversially, one response from the government is to recommend fewer jury trials in an effort to speed up court processes.
The Justice Committee recently held a further evidence session on juries, questioning senior members of the legal profession and the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services on what needs to change. All parties were united on the need for investment, better case management and a more effective use of court capacity if the court system is to function as intended. However, there are divided opinions on whether restricting the right to jury trial should be part of this process.
This week I also sat with the Joint Committee on Human Rights hearing evidence on inquiries into disasters ahead of the remaining stages of the Hillsborough Bill. Public inquiries are essential to understanding systemic failure and preventing future loss of life, but only if they are timely, properly resourced and their recommendations acted upon.
I also made a Select Committee Statement in the Commons on the Justice Committee’s report into drugs in prisons, setting out concerns about the scale of the problem and its corrosive impact on safety, rehabilitation and public confidence. The full statement is available in Hansard.
Supermarket Sweep
Big news for shoppers in Chiswick, which includes many from Hammersmith, with developments at three of our major supermarkets.
The most substantial proposal concerns Sainsbury’s. The company has entered a partnership with St James, part of the Berkeley Group, to begin pre-application discussions with Hounslow Council on a major redevelopment of the Sainsbury’s site at Essex Place. The plan, known as Chiswick Gardens, would see a new 5,300 sqm supermarket alongside around 300 new homes and redesigned public spaces. The intention is to replace the existing store with a modern building , improved layouts and public realm improvements. Drop-in events for local residents are scheduled for February to view early concepts and engage with the proposals. This is the most significant development opportunity in central Chiswick for many years and it is vital that residents voices be heard. Times and dates can be found here.
More immediately, the Chiswick Waitrose will close at 5 pm on Friday 23 January for around eight weeks for a comprehensive refurbishment, with a planned reopening on 19 March. While the company has not yet released full details of the changes, this closure is part of a wider investment programme by the John Lewis Partnership to refresh branches across the country. During the closure, shoppers are directed to alternative shopping at Waitrose East Sheen or online.
Finally, Marks & Spencer has already completed its own major change. The M&S food store on Chiswick High Road has re-opened following a significant extension, with the floor space increased by around 75 % after taking over three neighbouring units. The enlarged store features new counters and in-store facilities, and the expansion has created more than 50 local jobs. This is part of a wider £90 million investment by M&S in its London stores over the past year.
Local News
I was pleased to attend the recent unveiling of the latest artwork on the W4th Plinth at Turnham Green Terrace. The project, curated by Abundance London, has become a distinctive feature of Chiswick’s public spaces, combining artistic ambition with genuine community involvement. It was good to see residents gather for the installation, with music from Chiswick School students adding to the occasion, and to mark the continuation of a programme that puts public participation at the centre of how art is commissioned and displayed locally.
I was sorry to see Father Simon is saying goodbye to St Nicholas Church, Chiswick, after his years of service to the parish. The services that marked his departure were a fitting tribute to his commitment to the local community and the many ways he has supported families, congregations and neighbours across the parish. As St Nick’s enters a new chapter, I know many in Chiswick will be grateful for Father Simon’s ministry and wish him well in retirement.
I presented the Chiswick Calendar Awards 2026, an established local tradition that highlights the character of our community while bringing people together for a great evening out. Events like this remind us that local life is about celebrating what makes our community distinctive, and enjoying the company of neighbours and friends.
Iain Coleman
And finally, on Monday I spoke at the memorial service for my good friend, Iain Coleman. The turnout filled St Paul’s Church, Hammersmith as many friends, and a few former rivals from the world of politics, joined Iain’s wife, Dame Sally Powell, and son Jack to celebrate his life.
Iain was a formidable presence in west London, serving as leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and as MP for Hammersmith & Fulham, 1997-2005. Iain was known for his sharp mind, principled politics and deep commitment to social justice. The event heard speeches from many who knew him including John McDonnell MP and former MP Greg Hands. They spoke not just of his political achievements but of his warmth, humour and the respect he commanded across parties. It was a poignant reminder of the impact one dedicated public servant can have on a community and on those who worked alongside him.